Photo Taco: Inexpensive Flash

Jeff answers a listener question about hobbyist photographers getting into flash photography from listener Jose Lopez
Jose: “I’ve primarily been taking photos of landscapes, events, and other natural light subjects, but recently wanted to do more photography where a flash would be beneficial. I’ve watched the Improve Photography tutorials and spent hours looking online at YouTube and I find that it’s a bit overwhelming. I’ve purchased a two YN560 flashes (after reviewing the Recommended Gear page on ImprovePhotography.com), and started to look into light modifiers. That’s where I’m starting to get a bit overwhelmed. I got a small softbox, a 5 in 1 reflector, a shoot-through umbrella, and an inexpensive lightsphere clone. I’m not sure what the best settings to use for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Since the YN560s are manual flashes it’s a lot of chimping to see if I got it even close. I was hoping that you might be able to dive into the topic from a hobbyist standpoint and point me in the right direction. I’m sure I’m not the first person to be a bit intimidated by flashes.”
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Jeff goes over some hobbyist budget friendly options for getting the equipment needed to get started:

* 2x Yongnuo YN560-IV flashes: https://yongnuousa.net/products/yn-560iv
* Yongnuo 560-TX controller: https://www.amazon.com/YONGNUO-YN560-TX-Controller-YN560-III-function/dp/B00NIJ0UY6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1507584128&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=yn560-tx&psc=1
* Neewer 60″ white diffuser umbrella: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KL57D68/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
* Neewer 7′ Light Stand: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Photography-Studio-Portrait-Lighting/dp/B00UWDD2D2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1507576190&sr=8-7&keywords=neewer+light+stand
* Fotodiox Elite Flash Umbrella Bracket: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ODKX4Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
* Fotodiox F60 Quick-Collapse Flash Softbox: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TBUD4IK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jeff also goes through how it is he approaches settings when using flash. Generally starts out at his flash sync speed which is 1/250 on his Canon 7DM2, as low an aperture as he can (mostly f/2.8) and still have everyone in the photo in focus, and ISO at 100. If the portrait needs to include the natural surroundings outdoors the he uses in-camera metering to get the background properly exposed and add just a little more light to the models.
Other resources mentioned in the episode:

* YN560-IV: A Helpful Illustrated Guide: https://improve...